Writing and Publishing News from

September 10, 2006

How Can Book Festivals Help You? Let Me Count the Ways

Filed under: Book Promotion — Patricia @ 2:39 pm

Yesterday I attended the 7th annual Central Coast Book Festival. It’s a rather small event held in the charming city of San Luis Obispo, CA (near Pismo Beach). I’ve had a booth at this event either with SPAWN or on my own almost every year. I think I missed once. While it has always a nice event, this year was particularly enjoyable. I shared a booth with two delightful women—Dr. Maxine Thompson, former social worker turned author/literary agent/radio show host and more, and her sister, Nancy. Maxine and I also participated together on a panel discussion about publishing. We had a good audience and a good time.

The booth next to us was womanned by members of the SLO NightWriters group. I had met some of these women before at other book festivals and a few years ago when I spoke at one of their meetings. I enjoyed conversing with this array of writers and sending local writers to them to discuss membership in the NightWriters. Likewise, the women at the NightWriters booth directed folks with publishing questions to me. And some of those attendees bought copies of my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.

Another reason why this was a good event is because the attendees were actually buying books. I don’t recall the residents of San Luis Obispo ever being so eager to purchase books. Maxine sold numerous copies of her novels. Copies of my book were flying out of the booth. And I noticed others around us also selling quite a few children’s books, memoirs and so forth.

While I rarely make expenses when I participate in the SLO Book Festival, I continue to go there because of the exposure and the camaraderie. This year, in SLO, I made a profit, I got plenty of exposure, I enjoyed a generous helping of camaraderie AND I did some important networking. Here are 10 additional ways that this event worked for me:

1. I’ll feature Maxine in an upcoming issue of the SPAWN Market Update. I know that our members will enjoy reading about this literary agent and learning how to get on her Internet radio shows.
2. I also got a copy of Maxine’s Hush Hush Secrets to Writing Fiction That Sells to review for an upcoming issue of SPAWNews.
3. Maxine, on the other hand, wants to interview me on one of her shows.
4. I made a connection with the NightWriters that will probably result in a speaking engagement. Their membership is over 100 now, so this could be a lucrative opportunity.
5. I met a man who is soliciting articles for his local literary journal—I’ll report this opportunity to SPAWN members.
6. I connected face-to-face with a few SPAWN members whom I only get to see at events such as these.
7. I met about 25 writers and authors at various stages of their work—most of whom had questions and some of whom may eventually purchase one or more of my books or they might come to me for a consultation or other help with their projects.
8. I got some ideas for new articles. Authors’ questions often generate new article ideas.
9. I had a drawing for a free book and came home with the email addresses for about two dozen writers to add to my mailing list.
10. My book got exposure that it wouldn’t have received had I stayed in my home office and had I kept the book in the dark closet.

So what did you do this weekend? Did you spend any time promoting your book, soliciting homes for some of your articles, working on your book proposal or writing your book? Did you take every opportunity available to get exposure for your work? Or do you only talk about wanting to write, promote your book, develop a book proposal? If you fit into the later category, here are some tips to help you jumpstart your project:

1. Make your project a priority. I can’t tell you how many people claim they just don’t have time to write. I also know people who have managed to write a book and promote it despite an extremely busy schedule. The fact is, if you don’t have the time or can’t find the time, this isn’t the right time to launch your project. When the time is right and when you are ready, you will find/make the time no matter what else is going on in your life. If you truly want to produce a book, make it a priority in your life, be willing to make some sacrifices and start writing.
2. If you find yourself near a bookstore, go inside and spend an hour (your lunch hour?) doing the research necessary toward the development of your book proposal, for example, or check historical facts for your story.
3. Attend local book festivals and writers conferences to pick up tips and ideas and for the networking opportunities. There are almost always writers/publishers organizations represented. Let the directors help guide you. But also talk to the many authors you will meet there. Find out where they made their publishing mistakes. Ask for recommendations of publishers, promotional ideas, etc.
4. I talk to many successful authors and freelance writers who built their businesses by getting up an hour or two earlier every morning to work on their projects. I am one of those authors. I went from full-time employee to full-time freelance writer and author by getting up two hours earlier and spending that time writing. I also gave up many social activities on weekends in order to spend this time writing. Determine what is taking much of your otherwise free time and make some changes. Whether it is TV that gets most of your attention, clubbing, entertaining or reading, if you want to succeed as a writer or author, you really must at least cut back on these activities and spend that time honing your craft or building your writing/publishing business.
5. If you have a book to promote, spend time each week sending out email press releases, notices and announcements to appropriate Web sites, for publication in appropriate newsletters and to libraries, for example.
6. Again, if you’re in promotion mode, do more networking. Join clubs and organizations, particularly those where you’ll be connecting with people who are potentially interested in your book. Show your book to people. Talk about it. Hand out bookmarks advertising your book. Drop off bookmarks where they will be seen by your audience. I know a master promoter who leaves her promotional bookmarks scattered around in the restrooms at meeting halls and other venues where numbers of people gather.

Hopefully, I’ve succeeded in motivating you to do more to make your book a reality or to make it successful. Of course, you’ll find additional ideas and lots of encouragement in The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

Why Do You Write?

Filed under: Writing — Patricia @ 12:09 pm

I love reading a writing-related newsletter or visiting a publishing Web site and seeing my own face smiling at me. This means that either The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book has been reviewed again or one of my articles has been published. I smile back and think, Ka Ching.

When I get a chance to talk to authors, I often ask them why they write. I challenge them to explore their motivation for writing a particular book and wanting to go public with it. Sometimes our deep down reasons surprise us. Sometimes we don’t fully understand or appreciate our reasoning until the book is published. A book that you first envisioned being a self-help book for others may, indeed, become a healing experience for you. An author’s desire to share her story with a few, might develop into the need to create a charity organization to help many.

I wrote my first few writing-related books because I knew that I had something valuable to share, but I also wanted to further establish my credibility in my field. Besides, writing is my passion, my livelihood and my future—hopefully, it will continue to support me in my retirement. (Do writers ever retire?)

I’ve since written 8 writing/publishing-related books and about 400 articles. I still like receiving profits. I love having a project to work on. But I have discovered that I also love, love, love knowing that what I write is making a difference for other authors. Guiding hopeful authors and keeping them from making heartbreaking and expensive mistakes has become as important to me as the profits and royalties that keep the roof over my head. And I like hearing from authors who are reading what I write.

Friday, alone, I received two emails from soon-to-be authors telling me what a blessing and a help my books have been to them. One of them said, “You are giving a great gift with your information and experience.”

And then I opened an email containing the September edition of Publishing Basics Newsletter and there, alongside Peter Bowerman, Fern Reiss and Brian Judd, was my picture and my article, Market Your Book Before it’s a Book. If you want to read it, go to http://www.publishingbasics.com Click on my name (in the middle of the page). I have already received three positive comments from folks who read that article.

I have two questions for you this week: Why do you write? Why did you decide to write the book you are currently working on?

If you are writing a book, you have already written your first book or you are just thinking about writing a book, please do yourself a favor and purchase The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. This is the most complete guide to authorship that you will find anywhere. And this book comes with a limited amount of personal help. When you purchase this book (or any of my other titles) and, after reading it, you have specific questions, I invite you to email me and I will respond.

Order your copy of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book today. It encompasses 312 pages, costs $19.95 and it is for any hopeful or struggling author whether you want to self-publish (establish your own publishing company), land a traditional royalty publisher or go with a fee-based POD publishing service. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

September 1, 2006

I Take Pride in My Author Clients

Filed under: Publishing — Patricia @ 11:00 am

How many of you have experienced joy and pride when holding your newly published book in your hands for the first time? If you write articles for magazines, you know the excitement of seeing your byline published with your article. It’s almost like giving birth and then watching your “baby” grow and develop. It never occurred to me before, but maybe this thrill is one of the motivating factors that keeps me submitting my work for publication. I always thought I wrote because I can’t not write and because I need to earn a living. Now I think it is also for the thrill-factor.

And now I’m experiencing a new thrill—a new sense of pride—not in myself, but in my clients. When a book proposal client emailed me with the news that a major publisher had issued her a contract based on her excellent book proposal, I was really excited for her. I also took bragging rights for myself and began telling colleagues about the achievements of MY client.

Later, a client for whom I had done some editing, landed the publisher I suggested. He was overjoyed and so was I. This was another pride-filled moment.

Another client managed to attract an agent’s attention with her great, well-focused manuscript. We both celebrated her success.

This week, a client who has turned into a good friend, announced that she has received her second (or third) publishing contract for one of her articles and she has another magazine editor interested in two more pieces. This is a woman who was hesitant to call herself a writer when I met her two years ago. Of course, no one can accomplish anything without putting in the effort, but I like to think that my nagging, encouragement and guidance had some influence on her success. Now she does consider herself a writer.

When I met her, this woman wanted to write, but wasn’t sure what to write about. Now she is brimming over with ideas for articles and is accomplished at searching out appropriate publications for her articles.

Occasionally hopeful authors will come to me asking for help in managing the publishing maze. When they happily become published authors and I’m among the first to be presented a copy of their book, it’s burst your buttons time for me. I love being a part of my clients’, friends’ and colleague’s achievements. I enjoy standing by in support mode as they experience success.

For some clients, success means simply understanding the publishing process and how their project fits into it. It might mean learning what their options are and making the right choices. It could mean getting validation for their book proposal. Or it could mean learning that they’re on the wrong track with their project and that, in order to achieve the success they desire, they really must change the focus or scope of their book.

Yesterday, I met with two 11-year-olds. One is a writer and the other an illustrator for a book they’re working on targeting middle school kids who need a little help in the friendship department. They wanted to know what steps to take in locating a publisher for their project. What a thrill it will be to help these talented students achieve success.

I once balked at the idea of working with other writers and authors. I had so many of my own ideas and writing projects that I had little left to offer others. And then I agreed to work with an author. It went so well and the author was so pleased and I enjoyed the process so much that I decided to add “Editorial and Publishing Consultant” to my list of titles.

During the last seven years, I’ve worked with dozens of hopeful authors and freelance writers and this is now some of the most satisfying work I do. In fact, my clients were a key motivator in my writing The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. I wrote this book for them as well as for the many SPAWN members, visitors to the SPAWN Web site and hopeful and struggling authors I meet at the workshops, book festivals and seminars I attend. It is their questions, their concerns and, unfortunately, their mistakes that prompted the writing of this comprehensive book. And I know I am on target with this book because the feedback is extremely favorable.

Not only do customers rave about the value of this book, but we just received our tenth 5-star review for The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. Read excerpts from some of the reviews at http://www.matilijapress.com

Purchase the book at http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html Or order it through Barnes and Noble Bookstores. It shouldn’t take too long to get it as the book is in their warehouse system.

If you want to write a book or you have written a book and you don’t know what to do next, read The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. Then contact me with your specific questions.

August 23, 2006

The Ebb and Flow of a Writing Career

Filed under: Writing — Patricia @ 5:08 am

What profession seems fluid; is ever-changing and completely unpredictable? My answer is: a writing career.

I’ve been in this business since around 11: a.m. one sunny October day in 1973. Or maybe it was a cool December day. I don’t actually recall. But I do remember that it was in 1973 when I borrowed a portable manual typewriter, set it on a small table in a corner of my bedroom and began the writing career I’d been dreaming about since my children were small. Now they were teenagers. It was my turn to shine and I would shine through the written word. Well, at least I would try to generate a few bucks while doing something I absolutely adored—writing.

Fast forward to this too warm August day in 2006. I’m sitting in my office (my writing room), in front of a computer still writing and still enjoying the heck out of it. Not only that, I’ve built a career out of my love for writing—a career that has changed shape and form over the last 33 years. Yes, a lot has changed technologically and my business model has also changed. In fact, looking back, I can see that my way of approaching my business has changed often over time. I changed to accommodate clients. I changed when it was obvious that the old model—the old way of doing things—was obsolete. I adjusted to change when the universe seemed to be taking my business in a different direction. I did this sometimes willingly, but many times I resisted with all of my might. Change came slower when I resisted, but change occurred nonetheless.

I changed with time, too. I wrote from the heart of a 30-something-year-old when I entered into the writing field. Today, my heart is 60-something and so are my thoughts and my ideas. I believe that I write with more wisdom and evidence of experience.

I’ve always tried to maintain a good balance between writing and other creative activities, between the sedentary and the physical, between work and play and in the type of writing that I do. I’ve attempted to work mainly on positive topics and those that will help some segment of society. I write uplifting, encouraging, optimistic articles and books mostly with a self-help or how-to focus. And this is true whether I’m writing within the realm of business, parenting, family, writing, publishing, spirituality, personal development, relationships or pet care and whether I’m writing about youth mentoring, grandparenting, presenting a luau, producing a book, using intuition, strengthening your faith, raising emotionally healthy children or how to rescue a feral cat. I guess you could say that my hallmark work is based in hope and support. Over the years, I’ve become a teacher.

In 1973, I was writing about horses. I soon turned to local history as a subject and became the first (and only) person ever to write a comprehensive history of the Ojai Valley. I was also a pioneer in self-publishing, having established my publishing company, Matilija Press, in 1983. Throughout the 80s, I concentrated on establishing myself as an article writer and I managed to affiliate myself closely with several magazines (most of which folded in the early 1990s). During this period, I branched out and began writing about every subject imaginable. I was honing my research skills and this was way before I (or anyone else I knew) was hooked up to the Internet.

The late 90s introduced me to computers and the Internet and I figured out how to actually earn a living as a writer. I started adding more books to my collection of titles and I was doing it two at a time. I began going out and speaking to other writers and authors on a regular basis. I was also promoting the Ojai book through speaking gigs.

The year 2000 marks another milestone for my career and another dimension. I added more books to my collection and I expanded my visibility. What happened next wasn’t planned. I finally started saying, “Yes,” when asked to work with other writers and authors on their projects. I’d been avoiding this opportunity for years. Oh, I helped people, but I gave them my time and benefit of my experience. I presented a few workshops for a fee and that worked out well. But I was reluctant to charge people to edit their work or help them develop a book proposal.

That, too, has changed. I have worked quite successfully with dozens of clients throughout this decade and I’ve enjoyed the process. I am also expanding my scope and focus when it comes to presenting workshops and speaking nationwide. And, as most of you know, I was offered the opportunity to give a keynote speech before 800 Toastmasters in Dubai in May of 2006. I’m thankful that I had the confidence to accept that most unusual invitation.

I’ve recently become familiar with giving PowerPoint presentations. This is another opportunity that sort of snuck up on me—something I needed to learn, but was reluctant until it became crystal clear that the time was right.

What’s next? What changes do I contemplate? Do I see anything new on the horizon? Actually, there is something new—next month, my publishing company, Matilija Press, will come out with our first book by another author. I’ve agreed to publish a memoir/a true love story by Rick McGrath. The book is called Johanna’s Journey, A True Story of Love, Loss and Faith. I’ll announce its arrival around the middle of September.

In the meantime, if this is the year that you are going to finally write that book that has been rolling around inside you for years, or you have recently come up with a great idea for a book, you must read my book first. The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book will tell you everything you really do need to know about the changing publishing industry and how to conform to the new parameters; how to locate, choose, approach and work with a traditional royalty publisher; how to write a complete and successful book proposal; how to self-publish, how to establish your platform; book promotion and so much more. Order this book today at http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html If you need help with your book proposal or you want someone to look over your manuscript before you send it to a publisher, contact me at http://www.matilijapress.com

August 12, 2006

Novel Ways to Promote Your Novel

Filed under: Book Promotion — Patricia @ 10:50 am

For most authors of fiction, the very idea of promotion is distasteful. It’s not uncommon for novelists to break out in hives or develop a nervous twitch when faced with the reality of marketing their books.

As a published author, you know that you must promote your book and you scurry to find your comfort zone. You’ll sign up with Amazon.com, of course, put up a Web site and solicit reviews through the traditional mags and sites. Those of you with more nerve will try to arrange book signings and, uh—maybe attend a few local book festivals. And mostly, you’re met with disappointment.

But there is so much more that you can do to draw attention to your book—to let readers know that it exists. Here are a few ideas that you may not have thought of: (And they don’t even require that you develop the persona of a hard-selling hawker.)

1: Promote to organizations and sites related to a topic or theme that’s even loosely woven throughout your book. For example, let’s say that your novel features a bird that makes occasional appearances in a few chapters. This might be a crow that appears just before the wicked woman is sighted, a hawk that, when spotted, gives the main character courage or a canary that lives with the protagonist and drives him crazy. Contact birding organizations, bird rescue and rehab Web sites, sites for bird fanciers, bird experts, sites dedicated to specific bird types (canaries, wild birds, parakeets, exotic birds, for example) and other authors who are promoting books related to birds.

Of course, the same concept works for any subject; cats, dogs, horses, an amputee, a diabetic, a transvestite, twins, homelessness, the nightclub scene, Hollywood, competition swimming, golf, car racing, carnivals, regions (New Hampshire, Chicago, British Columbia, Seattle, Kansas City), the college scene, gambling, the corporate world…

What do you do once you find these organizations or sites? After carefully studying the site, email the operator or director personally and make some solid suggestions for how your book would fit in to their scheme of things. Ask for a book review. Offer to contribute articles to the site. Request inclusion on their Resource List or Recommended Reading page. Offer your book as a prize in an upcoming contest. Suggest and head up a contest that would help to promote your book.

2: Participate in appropriate message boards. Many dedicated sites have message boards where like-minded people can communicate, network and share. Locate some of them through a Google search. Look for message boards when you visit various sites. Using the bird theme again, rather than just diving in and saying, “Buy my new novel. There’s a bird in chapter three,” adopt a strategy. Bring an interesting story or some new information or facts to the forum. Say, for example, “I was surprised to find that Ventura was among the top three California counties when it comes to wild bird species. Is there any way to find out what species are involved in this count? I’m particularly interested in this subject because I’ve just published a novel wherein I feature an unusual species of wild bird.” Then sign your name and add the title of your novel and ordering information.

Maybe your book is set in a small town in Montana. Find regional sites and get involved in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming-related message boards. Write, for example, “Is anyone familiar with Darby, Montana? I’m the author of a brand new suspense novel set in this historic town. Read excerpts at (your Web site address).” And then include ordering information. Offer up some interesting trivia. Ask what others know about this place. Your main objective in participating in targeted message boards is to make friends, build a rapport and get exposure for your novel.

3: Solicit reviews in magazines that have an element related to an obvious or an obscure aspect of your novel. You have probably contacted magazines and newsletters that typically review novels, but have you thought of approaching publications related to a lesser, but interesting aspect of your novel? Maybe your story includes a main character with Multiple Sclerosis. Seek out magazines and newsletters focusing on MS and those with an overcoming-disabilities-aspect. Perhaps yours is an ethnic novel. Solicit reviews in appropriate ethnic publications. Of course, if it has that bird in it, go after magazines the bird lovers read. And don’t forget to take advantage of any regional aspect. There are a growing number of regional magazines these days. I located fifteen magazines for Ohio in just a few minutes time and about the same number for Texas.

How do you find specifically focused publications? Do a Google search. Use Literary Market Place and Writer’s Market and thumb through Gales Directory of Publications and Broadcast Media. (All of these volumes are available in the reference section of your local library.)

4: Contact bookstores that specialize in a topic or theme present in your novel. I located ten bookstores specializing in bird or pet books in three minutes through a Google search. There are also bookstores dedicated to books on cooking and foods, cats, mystery, crime, fantasy/horror/science fiction, nature, economics and spiritual/religion.

5: Approach specialty stores. You might convince some pet store owners to carry your novel that includes birds, a cat or a seeing-eye dog, for example. If your book has a women’s fashion element, consider designing a point of purchase display for willing managers of small clothing stores. If your book does well locally, you can use your success to entice stores in other cities to carry it. Maybe one of your characters thrives on daily espressos or there are a lot of scenes occurring in a coffee house. You know the next step—solicit space for your novel in Starbucks and the many copycat coffee shops sprouting up everywhere throughout the U.S.

6: Take advantage of your memberships and status. Are you a college graduate? Send news of your book to your college alumni magazine. The editors are always hungry for information about successful alumni. If you don’t belong to Sam’s Club, Costco or other such membership-oriented stores, sign up today! These mega-stores love to feature special members achieving interesting things in their widely circulated publications

7: Build promotion into your novel. If you are only in the idea stage of writing your novel, you are in luck because I’m going to give you the key to promotional success. Write a nonfiction hook into your story. How? Involve the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association or the National Mental Health Association by developing a character with diabetes, a heart condition or a mental illness, for example. Give a character a Harley, a tattoo or send him cruising on the Princess Line. Make sure that you have permission to use the name of the company or organization in your story. And, with the right angle and approach, you might be able to get them to participate in promoting your book. At the least, they might give you a positive endorsement.

Tap into what’s hot—something that’s in the news or an emerging trend, for example. Is anyone involving their characters in a life-threatening storm? What about writing a story set during an extreme heat spell? More and more people are developing enjoyable and satisfying online relationships—women are creating friendships and some couples are even getting married. Is this an intriguing trend that might entice readers to purchase your novel?

Whatever your topic or thread of a topic which you’ve woven through your book, you can find organizations, publications and/or Web sites to support it. Tap into these resources to broaden the audience for your fantastic, soon-to-be successful novel.

If you found this blog helpful, you will LOVE my latest book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

August 2, 2006

When Authors Engage in Public Speaking

Filed under: Book Promotion — Patricia @ 7:38 am

It’s encouraged. It’s sometimes necessary. Authors often engage in public speaking in order to promote their books. But not all authors are prepared and trained for this activity. And not all authors even want to participate.

Let’s look at the scope of authors’ attitudes and aptitudes when it comes to public speaking. There are authors:

• who are absolute naturals in the public speaking realm.
• who absolutely hate the thought of standing before an audience.
• who are game speakers, but have poor skills.

Is speaking one of your book promotion activities? Do you hope to start speaking to large and small groups as a way to gain exposure for your book? Please, before you launch out on the speaking circuit, heed the following advice:

1: Join Toastmasters and actively participate for at least a year. You will benefit in ways that you can’t even imagine. Go to http://www.toastmasters.org for a list of clubs near you.

2: Volunteer for opportunities to speak. Take leadership of a project at work or for a charity. Offer to go around and educate citizens on a political issue or to raise funds for the local library expansion, for example.

3: Attend other speakers’ programs. If you are observant and alert, you will learn volumes about public speaking by listening to others. How does the audience respond to the speaker? What techniques seem to work (and what don’t work) for this speaker? What would you do differently to put the audience at ease, make this a more pleasing or educational experience for the audience, etc?

4: Get involved with a storytelling group. This is a particularly fun way to improve your speaking skills. You’ll also get some training and practice in using vocal variety.

5: Hire a voice coach. If you have a soft voice that doesn’t carry well or a voice that is rather unpleasant to listen to, a voice coach might be able to help. You’ll find voice coaches listed under music teachers in the Yellow Pages.

6: Find a mentor—someone who’s speaking abilities you admire. Ask him/her to coach you.

7: Start locally. Before heading out to parts unknown to speak about your book before huge crowds, plan speaking gigs locally. Speak to the women’s group at your church, your local Optimist or Rotary Club, a gathering at the museum or bookstore or even a group of neighbors, for example.

While we each have a unique way of speaking and we don’t want to be carbon copies of one other, there are some public speaking rules that always (or almost always) apply. First, let me share with you some of the most common and most obnoxious mistakes I’ve observed among people attempting to speak in public:

Public speaking rule breakers.

• Many speakers let their voices trail off at the end of every sentence. The audience can hear the first part of their sentence, but they have no idea what pearls of wisdom might be lost in the whispers at the end. Sometimes this speaker will deliver complete sentences inaudibly while looking down—obviously not interested, at that moment, in engaging the audience.
• Some speakers are not good readers. If you are not skilled at reading something out loud, don’t do it while speaking. Especially avoid doing this secretly. In other words, if you plan to deliver your speech by reading all or part of it, and you do not have good out loud reading skills, forget it.
• Mumbling is not cool. Inexperienced speakers will often speak at conversation level, not giving any thought or consideration to the people in the back of the room. Recently, I sat in on a panel discussion at a workshop. The panelists chose to sit instead of stand to address the standing-room-only crowd, which I thought was rude. And one man, whenever it was his turn to speak, would rest his elbows on the table and fold his hands in front of his mouth during the entire time that he was speaking.
• Inexperienced or thoughtless speakers leave some members of the audience out. When an audience member asks a question, it is rarely heard in the back of the room. I’ve seen many speakers respond to the question by engaging in a one-on-one conversation with this person while the rest of the audience is left wondering. Speakers, repeat the question so everyone is on the same page. And then respond to the question so that everyone in the room can hear it.
• Some speakers choose to sit down on the job. In a very small, intimate group or when the audience is sitting in a circle of chairs or on the floor, for example, speaking while seated is generally okay. But if you have a room containing six rows of chairs or more, you really should express respect for those in the back of the room by standing so that you can be seen as well as heard.
• Many speakers have trouble staying within the time allotment. Most programs or presentations are carefully organized. Each segment is designed to fit into a specific time slot. I’ve seen speakers completely disregard their time constraints and foul up the entire evening’s program. Not cool.

I’ve written many articles on the topic of public speaking—many of them for The Toastmaster Magazine. The following is excerpted from one of those articles. This list offers specific tips to help get your started on your way to successful public speaking:
Make eye contact. Move your attention around the room as you speak, making eye contact with each person

Don’t apologize. Avoid sabotaging your presentation by making excuses for not being well prepared or for poor speaking skills. Stand tall, appear self-assured and you will gain the confidence of the audience.

Use vocal variety. Make your talks more enjoyable by using an assortment of vocal tones and pitches rather than speaking in monotone. If you need help developing vocal variety, practice reading to children. Use your highest and lowest voice and everything in between.

Eliminate non-words. Inexperienced speakers generally use so many filler words that Toastmasters actually have an “ah counter” at every meeting. This person counts the number of filler words each member uses throughout the course of the meeting. Filler words include uh, ah, um, er and so forth. I’ve seen new Toastmasters, who use filler words in nearly every sentence they speak, learn to speak without filler words at all after only a few months time.

Eliminate poor speaking habits. Rid your vocabulary of stagnant verbiage. Break yourself of those mundane phrases you like to repeat, such as, “yada, yada, yada” or “know what I mean?” Likewise, watch the overuse of words like “really.” Saying “I was exhausted.” is a stronger sentence than saying, “I was really exhausted.” You can explain how exhausted you were by saying, “I was exhausted beyond anything I’d ever experienced before,” or “I was so tired I could have slept for a month.”

Speak out. Many inexperienced orators speak too softly or they allow their voices to drop toward the end of their sentences. Practice speaking up and speaking out. Whether addressing a large audience or a small group, always speak so that you can be heard even in the back of the room.

Repeat audience questions. When someone asks a question during your presentation, always repeat it before answering it. This ensures that everyone hears it.

Be prepared. You will be more at ease if you know what to expect. Find out if there will be a lectern or microphone, for example. How many people do they expect? How will the room be set up? Also, have your props or notes organized so there will be no annoying fumbling during your presentation.

Know your audience. And gear your speech to the needs and interests of this particular audience. When I talk about the local history, I give a completely different talk to students at local elementary schools than I do when addressing civic organizations or historic society members.

Anyone can get up in front of an audience and speak. How well you do it is what counts.

Learn more about public speaking and how to locate and land speaking gigs in my latest book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. Order today at http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

July 26, 2006

How to Write Anyway When it’s Just Too Hot

Filed under: Writing — Patricia @ 8:17 am

The whole country is experiencing extraordinary heat this summer and, at least for some of us, our traditionally hottest months are yet to come.

Everyone is suffering. Those of us without central air conditioning or whose window units aren’t keeping up with the heat, must be creative. Some writers are contending with smoke and threats from nearby wildfires. And countless thousands of people are experiencing power outages. My writer friend in St. Louis has been without power for an entire week now. And they’re having temps in the triple digits.

Of course, it’s almost impossible to write when the first thing on your mind is survival—when the only way you can get cool is by driving around with your car air conditioner on and it’s impossible to find refrigerated food anywhere in town. However, knowing my friend, she is jotting down her observations and experiences. She is creating storylines and coming up with enough article ideas to keep her writing for the next few years.

But what about those of us who are just a bit distracted because of the heat? I know how it is (it was 112 here over the weekend). You’re hot and you’re uncomfortable. Your body is exhausted, your brain feels fried and all of this discomfort is distracting. Perhaps you feel like a prisoner in your own home because it’s just too hot to go outside. You live for that time in the evening when the outside temperature is cooler than the inside temperature and you can open the doors and windows.

How do you write when you are so preoccupied by how the heat is affecting you?

I write very early in the morning before the heat settles into my office. I can usually tolerate the temperature in here until about 3 in the afternoon. Some days I use a trick I learned when I was younger and had a pool. It’s called the wet bathing suit solution. I put on my bathing suit and jump in the shower. Then I wear the wet bathing suit around the house all day. When the suit starts to dry out, I jump in the shower again. One writer I know uses the same concept with her regular clothing. Rather than be miserable all day, she holds her tank top or tee shirt under running water until it’s soaked, wrings it out and then wears it around the house. It’s really amazing how much cooler you are when you are wearing wet clothing.

I don’t know about you, but when I’m hot, I have trouble concentrating. In fact, I don’t have much enthusiasm for writing when I’m feeling too hot. So it pays to find a way to make yourself more comfortable. Of course, drink plenty of water. I’m also reverting back to my childhood and eating popsicles. Here are some ideas for keeping to your writing schedule even in this unbearable heat:

• Put your bad mood to good use in your writing: Heat is stressful and it can affect ones mood. There’s more domestic violence, when it is hot. As a writer, you can capitalize on that bad mood by using the hot days to work on your dark fiction. Flesh out the most despicable character in the story you’re writing, for example.

• Write a poem, story or article related to the heat. This is also a good way to journal and to, perhaps, find solutions to your uncomfortable dilemma. Maybe, though journaling, you’ll decide that it is time to purchase that air conditioner for your office. Think about it—can you afford to be nonproductive? If the heat build up in your office is keeping you from writing, put out $300 for a small air conditioner. I’ve even seen new ones as cheap as $150. You’ll surely retrieve your investment promptly just in your productivity level.

• Send out query letters. You should have query letters already written for articles you want to pitch as well as for the book you’re working on. This is a good time to be sending them out to appropriate magazines and publishing houses. You don’t have to write anything new. Sending query letters can be a no brainer. Just beware that you are targeting the appropriate editor/publisher.

• Think winter. That is, write about things related to the cooler months. This is the time you should be pitching articles for publication in December through March, anyway. Here are some article ideas:

*Cool places to visit with your family (or your honey or your girlfriends) in January.
*Great holiday gifts that don’t cost a lot.
*Relationship tips for those sometimes volatile holiday gatherings.
*Great holiday party ideas.
*Creative ideas for helping a needy family at Christmastime.
*How to manage a successful family gift exchange.
*Things you can make for holiday gifts.
*How to protect your health when flying during the cold and flu season.
*Volunteer opportunities for the whole family. Ho to go out and gather holiday smiles.

• Switch activities. Are you working on a book? And you don’t feel like writing in the heat? Go do your Christmas shopping. You’ll be inside in the air conditioning and thinking about the holidays might just cool you off. In December, you can work right through those days and weeks that you would normally devote to Christmas shopping.

• Pick and choose your projects. There are ways to produce and achieve even when your brain is compromised by the heat. Organize your desk, file the items that have been collecting for two or three weeks in your in-basket, delete your accumulation of old emails or write a writing or book promotion plan covering the next few months.

• Write a chapter or an article that doesn’t take a lot of brain power. Organize it, outline it, work on developing a character. If it is a reference book, compile your resource list or start working on the index.

• Do some book promotion. Do you have a press release written? Just find a directory of newspapers, libraries or review sites and send the press release to appropriate email addresses. This takes little thought, yet it is one of your more important tasks. You’ll feel as though you are accomplishing something and you are. This will lift your spirits even if your body feels worn out from the heaviness of the heat.

• Book some speeches for appropriate clubs and organizations. If you have written a local history book, arrange to speak before local civic organizations and historical societies. Perhaps your book is an exciting novel or a how-to or a self-help book on an interesting subject. Is it directed at women? Contact local business women’s clubs, the Red Hat Society, women’s community clubs and women’s organizations related to different industries. Are you planning a trip, contact bookstores and radio stations along your route to set up some signings and speaking gigs.

Who says that you can’t be productive when you’re feeling compromised by this oppressive heat? Triple digit temps, even those in the high 90s, day after day after day can be extremely annoying and exhausting. But this shouldn’t be an excuse for a writer to slough off. Avoid writing now and you’ll get into the habit of taking time off whenever the notion suits you. I can hear the excuses now: “I have spring fever,” “It’s too windy to write.” “It’s too cold.” “I have a hangnail.”

Now, a word to those of you who are experiencing gorgeous, sunshiny, mild weather—those of you who are getting a comfortable night’s sleep: what’s your excuse for not writing? Is the lure of the out of doors distracting you? Is it just too lovely to work inside? Well, go outside and write. Sure, take your laptop or your pen and pad and let the beauty inspire you.

Get your writing done, people, and then go play. Okay, I’ve completed my blog for the week. It is almost 4:00 p.m. and I’m going to go watch my favorite afternoon TV show, Judge Marilyn Milian. (Hey, it’s research. The court cases give me ideas for articles.)

Here’s another excellent hot weather activity. Order your copy of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book and sit in front of a fan or under a shade tree and read it. Talk about being productive… This book has the potential to help you set and achieve your writing and publishing goals.
For more information about this excellent book and to order, http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html

July 17, 2006

Publishing Notes From Seattle

Filed under: Publishing,Writing — Patricia @ 6:13 am

My head is swimming with ideas to share with you this week. I’m returning home today from a large writers conference in the Pacific Northwest. I came here as a workshop leader and I also attended some great workshops—all the while, taking notes madly. No matter how long you’ve been in this business, you cannot mingle with writers, editors, agents and publishers and not learn and grow. One workshop leader (a publicist) told her audience that as a writer/author, you can learn from those who are one level up from where you are. I maintain that we can learn from colleagues at any level of expertise. I learn from beginners as well seasoned professionals. And you can, too. You just have to be open to the opportunities and the information.

Each of us has had different experiences along our career paths. The first-time author may have met challenges that the career author has never faced. A beginner in your writing group might discover a publisher or a fabulous writers site that you’re not aware of. Maybe she landed an agent who got her a contract. She may not be a seasoned author, but just think about what you could learn from her.

I’ve been following a career as a freelance writer and author for three decades, but I’ve never pitched an agent or a publishing house editor in person. I met an unpublished author who did this weekend and she taught me some things about the process. Let me know if you’d like details. Plfry620@yahoo.com

While at the conference, I gave a workshop on article writing. I learned that there are a lot of people out there competing for my freelance work. This reminded me (and I’m reminding you) that it is more important than ever that a writer does his/her homework, stays well-informed and up-to-date, puts him/herself out there and maintains a professional persona. Do you remember the cliché, “The early bird gets the worm?” Well, it is the diligent, dedicated, persistent, aware, hard-working, PATIENT writing professional who gets the assignment or who lands the publisher.

Speaking of getting published, I talked to quite a few first-time novelists this weekend. All of them have agents. Some of them have been published by pretty big publishers. And all of them told the same story about diligence and patience. Their overnight success took time to achieve. Last night at the book signing, I sat next to one delightful first-time author of a Young Adult novel published by Bloomsbury. She said that it took over a year and many query letters to finally land an agent and then that agent spent another year locating the right publisher.

Others revealed that they persisted for two and three years before landing a contract. Most had to jump through hoops, too. There were many hours spent revising their manuscripts to suit the agents and then the publishers. And now these authors are involved in promotion.

David Morrell was the keynote speaker Saturday night. He is the author of a book called, First Blood, the novel in which Rambo was created. He has other novels, as well—with 18 million copies in print in 26 languages. Obviously, he is has “made” it by the standards of the majority. But do you know how he spends his time when he isn’t writing a new novel? He is out promoting his books. And his speech was all about “platform”—who is your audience and how do you reach them? He shared several marketing techniques that he uses, yet, today.

Do you dream of turning your writing hobby into a writing career? Are you writing a book for publication? Are you prepared to sacrifice in order to realize your dream? Do you fully understand the level of commitment necessary in order to meet publishing goals? Please, don’t forge blindly ahead believing that your excellent book will make you a rich person with little effort. Strive to understand what publishing is all about. Here’s what I suggest:

• Attend writer’s conferences and listen and learn.
• Join writers groups and listen and learn.
• Join SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) http://spawn.org
• Enter into online writers/publishers forums and read and learn. (Such as those available for members at the SPAWN Web site.)
• Subscribe to writing/publishing-related newsletters and magazines.
• Read the monthly SPAWN Market Update which is jam-packed with information, opportunities and resources for authors, freelance writers and artists. (For members of SPAWN only—join at http://www.spawn.org)
• Consult with a professional—the cost of his/her time could save you a lot of money and anguish.
• Read The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. (Check out the reviews posted at the book page on http://www.amazon.com)
• Muster up all of the diligence, persistence and patience you can.

Let me know if you have any questions or need guidance along your writing/publishing path. http://www.matilijapress.com

July 3, 2006

Book Promotion: Promoting Beyond Your Comfort Zone

Filed under: Book Promotion — Patricia @ 12:01 pm

What are you doing to promote your book(s)? Are you still trying to figure out a way to get them into bookstores?

I field a lot of questions for freelance writers and authors each week through SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network), through my Web site and via links from some of my published articles. The majority of these questions relate to book promotion. Most of the authors want to know, “How can I get my book into bookstores?”

Typically, these authors have spent the last several years writing the book of their dreams and then they take just a few days to search for a publisher. They gleefully and gratefully sign up with the first fee-based publishing service that issues them a contract and assume that their book will be available in bookstores nationwide. Of course, they envision copies of their book flying off of bookstore shelves into the eager hands of thousands of readers. Their job now is to sit back and rake in the royalties, right? Not even.

Tell me now, at some point in the process of writing your book, did you ever look around a mega bookstore and consider the vast competition? Visualize your book in that bookstore. Think now—what would cause readers to find and purchase your book among the tens (or, in some cases, hundreds) of thousands of other books?

Few authors realize that booksellers rarely carry books produced through fee-based publishing services. I know, I know—this isn’t what the publisher told you. Likewise, booksellers avoid carrying self-published books. Some legitimate, traditional royalty publishers even have trouble getting books into bookstores. I’m telling you, the competition for space in a bookstore is stiff. And books that are accepted by these mega booksellers had better fly off the shelf or else… What happens to books that don’t sell well? They are promptly returned to the publisher for a refund and I mean promptly. You might only have a three to six month window of time to prove your book worthy of bookstore status. Unfortunately, this is true whether you have paid a publishing service to produce your book, you’ve self-published or you managed to land a major publisher.

You can prolong your book’s place on a bookstore shelf by bringing in customers. This does not mean soliciting your friends and family members to order the book over and over again. Publishers/authors who have been caught doing this sort of thing usually have their books banned from the bookstore thereafter. What I suggest is creating a buzz, getting exposure, establishing a name for yourself (your book), getting publicity… Do whatever it takes to attract customers to the bookstores that carry your books.

But don’t rely totally on bookstores to sell your books. Sure, pursue bookstores if you wish, but be aware that bookstores are not the be all, end all answer to book promotion. Upon your first inkling to become an author, start planning your book promotion strategy. There are many countless avenues for promotion outside of the bookstore. Discover them, study them and, if they are appropriate for your particular title, pursue them.

Again—publishing is a business and your book is a product. In order to put your book into the hands of readers, you must stop dreaming and start thinking like a businesswo/man. You’ve heard people say, “Think before you speak.” Or “Think before you act.” Well, an author must think before s/he publishes. And your thoughts really should reach beyond the bookstore.

Try this exercise: Can you come up with five (5) ways to reach your target audience outside of the traditional bookstore? I’d love to hear your promotional ideas. Send them to me at plfry620@yahoo.com. Here are five of my ideas for promoting my writing/publishing-related books:

1. Write articles for writing-related magazines and newsletters.
2. Participate in writing/publishing online bulletin boards.
3. Solicit book reviews and interviews in magazines and newsletters and at Web sites for freelance writers and authors.
4. Seek out book festivals and writers conferences and offer to give workshops.
5. Keep adding to and improving my Web site so it continues to attract my target audience.

If you need more book promotion ideas, help writing a query letter or book proposal, information about finding and working with a publisher, steps to self-publishing, hints for better writing, distribution and shipping info, resources or other information related to authorship, purchase my latest book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book http://www.matilijapress.com

June 21, 2006

Summer Writing Blog

Filed under: Writing — Patricia @ 10:31 am

It’s the first day of summer. So what is your summer writing schedule? Are you going to continue on as usual—ignore the call of the outdoors and stay holed up working from sunup to sundown? Or will you close the book on your current writing project and play all summer—feeling twinges of guilt every step of the way? Or have you created a balance between work and play and a mindset that will allow you the luxury?

I hope to find myself in the latter scenario. In fact, I’ve already started the momentum. I just got back from a two-day family trip. Four generations of us gals—ages 19 to 85—took a little trip to celebrate my birthday. There were seven of us—two sets of sisters, cousins, grandma (me) and great grandma. We had a blast. I’ll be home for a few days and then I’m heading to Arizona to hang out with my friend from junior high school. We’ve been best friends for over 50 years. Don’t you know that I have to chuckle when I hear someone say, “We’ve been friends for a long, long time.” How long? “Four years.” Or even “Two and a half years.” Pshawwww!! Those folks are just barely acquainted.

Being a full-time freelance writer and book promoter with deadlines and clients, how do I manage to play and still get my work done? Practice, I guess, and necessity. Here’s my outlook and my schedule.

Outlook: Take good care of your physical, emotional and mental self. To me this means be productive, adopt a healthy lifestyle, nurture your relationships and take time out to play.

Implementation: Now for the hard part. How does one actually accomplish this sort of balance in a busy life? It’s not easy. I work at it constantly. Should life and living be difficult? Some would say, no. But who are these people? Do they feel productive or are they apt to spend a lot of time just talking about doing something… someday? Do they have meaningful relationships with key people in their lives or do they go months or years without reaching out to family and friends? Do they nurture their bodies and minds or do they consistently eat fast food and packaged meals and only talk about exercising? Some of these people may either work all of the time or play most of the time.

How do you create that balance you need as a writer? How do you build your freelance writing business, write your novel or promote your books while also tending to your other needs? For some, a schedule works—they need to rely on the parameters of a fixed routine. Others maintain balance by listening to their bodies and tuning into themselves.

If you must have the parameters of a fixed routine, I recommend careful scheduling. If you work half of your waking hours, that’s about 8 hours/day. That gives you 8 hours to run errands, take care of household chores, socialize/spend time with family, take a walk or visit the gym, prepare and eat three healthy meals, play (garden, crochet, do woodworking, volunteer or draw, for example) and relax. If you work on weekdays only, that’s 40 hours/week. And that leaves you an additional 32 hours for your other tasks, responsibilities and activities on the weekend. Now don’t tell me that you can’t find time to stay in touch with friends and family members, manage your home, lead a healthy lifestyle, relax and play during the 72 hours that aren’t spent writing.

Okay, I get it. Some of you are working part or full-time jobs and trying to establish a writing career. I admit, that a job can interfere. Add to that, a responsibility for small children and, indeed, you are a busy person. But you still have that desire to write and to take care of yourself—so:
• Get up an hour or two early and spend that time writing.
• Write when the kids are at school.
• Get the kids to help with chores.
• Organize errands to minimize your time away.
• You have to eat anyway, choose to serve more veggies and fruit.
• Walk to the neighborhood grocery instead of driving.
• Park farther away from your destination so you have to walk a distance.
• Get active as a family—go bicycling rather than watching TV, etc.

I tend to go by what my mind and body tell me when it comes to creating balance in my life. After 33 years in the freelance writing business, I know when to hold em and when to fold em. When I err, however, it is on the side of obsessing —of workaholicism. I have to watch out for burnout—that uncomfortable feeling of dread that I feel every once in great a while when I face a writing project. That’s when I know it’s time to leave my office and get change of scenery—establish a change of pace.

I’ve also learned to accept more invitations and to plan more time away when the opportunities present themselves. While some writers must trick themselves and bribe themselves to sit down and work, I find it harder to go out and play. So I pay attention to the elements in my world.

I have incorporated a daily walk into my life. That happens almost no matter what. I keep plenty of healthy snacks on hand and I take time each week to plan and to prepare healthy meals. I keep in touch with close friends, neighbors and family regularly. I maintain a calendar of birthdays and other special occasions and I follow through with appropriate greetings. I garden and I go out on photo shoots for fun.

I have to say that, as much as I love writing and operating the business I’ve established, my time out walking or talking to neighbors over the fence or spending a day shopping with my daughters or having lunch with a grandson or traveling to spend time with a friend or gardening or volunteering with rescued kittens, becomes more and more meaningful with time.

If you haven’t yet established your writing lifestyle, let this rambling of mine help you to find your comfort zone. How will you know when you’ve discovered it? For me, it’s when I feel whole and complete—body, mind and soul.

Have you visited my Web site, lately? You really must see my array of books for sale and articles and resources for writers and authors. http://www.matilijapress.com

If you need help establishing yourself as a writer, you would definitely benefit from my book The Successful Writer’s Handbook. If you have a young writer in the house, be sure to check out my Young Writer’s Handbook. Are you interested in establishing a business writing articles for magazines and newsletters? Be sure to read A Writer’s Guide to Magazine Articles. My little book, Over 75 Good Ideas for Promoting Your Book, is a wonderful guide for any author who has a book to promote–and that is every author. My book, How to Write a Successful Book Proposal in 8 Days or Less, is a great little handbook for authors contemplating the task of writing a book proposal. And my best biggest and bestest book of all for any author at any stage of their project, you MUST READ, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.

Visit my bookstore at http://www.matilijapress.com

I must apologize for removing the response option for my blog. There were just too many unwanted and unrelated spammy messages coming in and it was taking up too much of my time trying to remove them. So I made the decision to eliminate the response option. Please, if you would like to comment or ask me a question, email me through my Web site.

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